Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever are caused by four, related virus serotypes primarily found in tropical and subtropical areas and spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The mosquito has black and white stripes, bites during the daytime and does not make a whining noise. It usually bites the ankles and legs.

The mosquito breeds in standing water, even small amounts less than a few centimetres deep.

Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. A mosquito can also pick up the disease though biting a person infected with dengue or dengue haemorrhagic fever and, about a week later, passing on the disease by biting a healthy person.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of dengue. It can be fatal if unrecognised and not properly treated.

The symptoms of the haemorrhagic fever last two to seven days and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache followed by a tendency to bruise easily, bleeding nose and gums and possible internal bleeding.

There is no specific medication for treatment of dengue infection or dengue haemorrhagic fever, although fluid replacement therapy is effective if an early diagnosis is made.

The risk from dengue can be reduced by covering items that collect rainwater or store water. Pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers should be emptied and scoured once a week to eliminate mosquito eggs. Do not litter. Paper cups and water bottles thrown into drains, verges, roadside and vacant land can collect rainwater and breed mosquitoes.